Francois and Jerome

Medical Information:

General Health:

There are no known diseases or health conditions affecting neither of us.

Fertility Information:

We have three embryos, created in August 2024. They are all euploids, based on the PTG-A testing. We worked with an egg donor. It is a known donor, that we met through an agency. We met with her once during the egg donation process. If necessary, we will create more embryos.

Fertility Clinic:

Our embryos are at Grace Fertility clinic in Vancouver. We are open to moving them to another clinic depending on where the Surrogate is located or if she has a preferred clinic.

Why are you looking for a Surrogate?

Having our own family has always been a goal for us. Choosing surrogacy was a deliberate decision we made after exploring other options, including adoption. While adoption is a wonderful path for many families, we understood that in Quebec, the process begins as fostering a child, then moves into adoption. Surrogacy feels like the right fit for us as it allows us to have a biological connection to our child. Surrogacy also provides a unique opportunity to be involved throughout the journey. This process gives us a chance to build a strong bond with the Surrogate and to share in the milestones of pregnancy, which is something we deeply value.

Tell us about your family & loved ones.

François’ parents are very supportive of our decision to grow our family through surrogacy. His mom and dad ask for updates on how the process is going every time we see them! They are excited and eager to welcome the newest member of the family, particularly François’ mother who will be grandmother for the first time! :) We are also trying to find an intergenerational home to bring her closer. On the other hand, Jérôme’s parents aren’t aware yet of our journey towards surrogacy. But only because his parents have been asking questions about our plans for starting a family for many years now. We believe that revealing the pregnancy after the first ultrasound will be a wonderful and joyful surprise for them.

François’ step-sisters each have two children of their own, and their families are very supportive of our surrogacy journey. Our nephews are even already volunteering to babysit! Both sisters are thrilled about the arrival of this child and can’t wait to welcome them into the family. Jérôme’s brother is also very supportive. He is aware of our plans and shows great interest in the process, always asking questions and staying engaged whenever we talk about it.

Our friends have been incredibly supportive and excited for us throughout this journey. Many of them have children of their own so they share in our joy and have expressed genuine curiosity about the surrogacy process, cheering us on every step of the way. Their encouragement and positivity have meant a lot to us, and we feel lucky to have such a caring group of friends to share all the milestones to come. Francois also has co-workers who have become parents through surrogacy.

Would you like to attend appointments with your Surrogate?

Yes, we would love to attend the ultrasound appointments in person, as they are meaningful moments where we can connect with our baby. Living in Montreal makes it easy for us to go anywhere in Canada for those milestones. We would prefer to attend these in person, as they are deeply significant to us. For other routine appointments, we would be happy to participate virtually whenever possible.

What are your thoughts on termination of a pregnancy due to genetic abnormalities or complications related to the pregnancy?

We believe that the decision to terminate a pregnancy should always prioritize the well-being and quality of life of the child, as well as the safety of the Surrogate. If a genetic or serious medical condition is identified, such as a life-threatening genetic abnormality, serious cardiac issues, or other complications that would severely impact the child’s quality of life, we would consider termination to be an option. In such cases, we would rely on professional medical guidance and genetic counseling to inform our decision-making process.
However, if the condition is one that may not have a significant impact on the child’s well-being or if it does not pose a danger to the Surrogate, such as a cleft lip/palate or an atrial septal defect, we would most likely want to continue with the pregnancy.

If the Surrogate becomes pregnant with multiples, how would you feel? How do you feel about the possibility of selective reduction being recommended due to a multiple pregnancy?

We’re aware of the possibility of a multiple pregnancy and we would be thrilled if that happens. However, we also understand that it comes with its own set of challenges. Again, our main priority will be the health and well-being of the Surrogate and of the babies. If selective reduction was recommended for medical reasons or because of the Surrogate preference, we would be willing to proceed with it, fully trusting the medical advice provided.

Are you vaccinated for Covid-19? Do you have a preference for a Surrogate to have been vaccinated for Covid-19?

Yes, we are both vaccinated against COVID-19. As a nurse, Jerome even vaccinated many people in Montréal during the first intensive vaccination campaign.
We would have a preference for a Surrogate who is vaccinated against COVID-19, but we also understand it is becoming less and less of an issue.

What kind of relationship do you want to have with your Surrogate during the pregnancy?

That’s a hard question to answer from a single perspective! We want to have a supportive and open relationship with the Surrogate throughout the pregnancy. We think that communication is the key from the beginning to the end. We want to take the time to build a relationship before so we can be there for her during the pregnancy. We feel we need to be available whenever she needs us, and maintain regular communication through virtual means. Our goal is to ensure she feels comfortable and supported, and that we are actively involved in the process while respecting her needs and boundaries.

Do you want to be in the delivery room when your child is born?

If the Surrogate is comfortable with it, we would like to be there, and share this special, but intense moment. We understand that, ultimately, the decision is hers, and we want to respect her wishes.

What kind of relationship do you hope to have with your Surrogate after the birth of your child?

We would love to stay connected with the Surrogate and share news and pictures of the child as they grow. We also like to share special moments, like birthdays or special occasions. Depending on location, and if she is interested, we would be open for visits. Above all, we hope she would be open to meeting the child, especially if they express a desire to do so in the future. As we want to share the journey with the child in the future, we believe that maintaining a bond with the Surrogate is important so they can know their story and meet the significant people who help to shape it.

Would you be open to a home birth?

Yes, while homebirth would not be our preferred choice, we are open to it if it’s something important for the Surrogate.

Are you open to midwifery care?

Yes we are comfortable. We would only like to take part in the planning so that all our questions are answered.

Would you like your Surrogate to provide breastmilk?

We would be so grateful if the Surrogate is able to provide any breast milk! Ideally, we would love to be able to feed our child breastmilk for the first 1 to 3 months.

What will you tell the child about the Surrogate, and the circumstances of their birth? If your child asks to meet the Surrogate, how will you feel?

We aim to be as transparent as possible throughout this journey. We’ve heard of some families creating a family tree to help represent not only the parents but also the Surrogate and the Egg Donor. We believe this could be a meaningful way to honor and acknowledge everyone’s role in creating our family, offering the child a clearer understanding of their unique story and the many people who helped bring them into the world.

Because we want the child to be totally knowledgeable of their journey, we would be really happy for such a meeting. Our goal is for the child to build as strong a sense of self as possible, and we believe that understanding where they come from will play an important role in fostering that sense of identity. If the Surrogate is interested at that time, we would plan a trip!

If the transfer is unsuccessful, will you want to try again? If so, how soon after?

Yes we would want to try again. For us, how soon after would really depend on the Surrogate’s preference.

If this surrogacy journey is successful, would you want to complete a sibling journey? What do you envision that looking like? (timeline, same Surrogate etc.)

We hope to have the opportunity to embark on a sibling journey, should the chance arise. If possible, we would love to continue with the same Surrogate, but only if it feels right for everyone involved, without any pressure. Ideally, we would hope for this to happen within 1-3 years.

What are your plans for childcare once the child is born?

Jerome plans to stay home for about a year, while Francois will take three months off, split throughout the year. After this first year, we hope to find a preschool or daycare for our child. We are also looking for a duplex that we could share with Francois’ mother, who would help us with caregiving and support during this new chapter of our lives.

What does a typical weekend look like for you?

Weekends are our time to recharge. Sometimes we take road trips to visit family in Quebec City or Rigaud, but most weekends are spent at home.
Our mornings start slow, without alarms… or just to the sound of Jérôme making coffee and crêpes. It’s a Sunday must! Weekends are also there to cook. Jérôme loves experimenting with new recipes, often inspired by the Great Canadian Baking Show, while François plans our Sunday night meal prep! Twenty meals that keep us organized. It’s simple, but it sets the tone for a smooth week.
Also, on weekends we cherish time with friends and often host cozy dinner parties! We have groups of close friends and we like to share time with them whenever possible.
We also stay active on weekends. Whether it’s a long bike ride, a run in the park, or some at-home workouts, moving helps us reset after a busy week. François is an avid cyclist and always has a new route or challenge in mind!

What are some of your interests/ activities?

We share a love for board games, baking desserts, cycling adventures, and binge-watching TV series together. Jérôme has a unique passion for all kinds of music and can work on puzzles for countless hours. François, on the other hand, is especially drawn to reading, video games, and staying active through fitness.

We have a cat named Paxil. She’s a 10 year old calico, who loves to eat and sleep in the sun!

For a long time, our favorite meal was General Tao tofu, then homemade pizza. More recently, it’s been oven-baked Asian peanut butter tofu with roasted vegetables.

Other fun facts:

Here’s few fun facts about us!
-Jérôme knows the lyrics to almost any song, while François can’t remember the lyrics to his favorite one.
-François has a striking passion for organization, where everything has its place, especially in the fridge, while Jérôme thrives on improvisation.
-Jérôme has been learning Japanese for some time now. Our recent trip to Japan was a humbling reminder of the difficulty.
-François, can lose himself in video games for hours.
-François has always dreamed of learning to play the guitar but, for the last 15 years, he only moved the guitar!
-We love to do small renovation projects. Whether it’s repainting a room, redoing the ceiling, or tackling something like retiling a backsplash, we dive in with equal parts enthusiasm, trial-and-error and YouTube videos.

“We are both 35 years old and have been together for 15 years. We first met 20 years ago at the beginning of high school! We went through many years of long distance relationship until Jérôme went to work for a year in Sherbrooke while Francois finished the first part of his studies. We then moved to Montréal and have stayed there for the last 10 years. Jérôme is spontaneous and creative, while François is more methodical, but we share an anxious nature that makes us value planning and stability. Recent challenges with family health have deepened our appreciation for life’s fragility and the importance of solidarity. Guided by values like honesty, self-growth, and family, our greatest wish is to nurture a loving environment where future children can grow, dream, and thrive.”